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 Submitted by Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Jensen
To use the phrase “It’s a small world,” is an understatement when you look at the chances of this happening not only in the military, but from a geographical perspective.
Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Kevin Jensen, on right, SGT Jennifer Muellner (Elsenpeter), center, and SPC Jacob Schmidt, all members of the Minnesota National Guard, are serving together as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Basra, Iraq. Photo supplied
Both Muellner and Schmidt graduated from Rush City High School in 1998 and 2005 respectively.
The odd of classmates serving in the same battle space is unique but not uncommon in today’s military operations, serving with one of their former teachers is rare.
CWO Kevin Jensen taught Social Studies from 1993-2004 at Rush City High School before moving to a full-time career in the military.
During his tenure at Rush City High School, he taught both Muellner and Schmidt is a variety of Social Studies classes.
SGT Jennifer Muellner (Elsenpeter), and SPC Jacob Schmidt both serve with the 204th Area Support Medical Company out of Cottage Grove, Minn.
Muellner, who is the daughter of Greg and Mary Jo Muellner, has served the Minnesota National Guard for seven years. She currently works at the Contingency Operating Base Hospital in the evacuation section driving ambulances and working with medics.
This deployment is her second tour in Iraq as she served as a .50 cal gunner on a convoy escort team with the 34th Brigade Combat Team in 2005-2007.
This specific tour of duty lasted 22 months with 16 continuous months in Iraq. To this day it is the longest continuous deployment of any Active Duty, Reserve, or National Guard tour since the Iraq War began.
Although Muellner hadn’t thought much about joining the military as she graduated from High School, she was drawn into serving her country due to the result of 9-11. In addition to this sense of patriotic service, she saw it as an opportunity to have structure in her life and capitalize on the military benefits for college.
When SGT Muellner isn’t serving in the military she is employed as a financial planning advise tech for Ameriprise Financial. She has completed her AA degree from Cambridge Community College and someday hopes to go back to school to complete a degree as a VA Physical Therapist Assistant/Case Manager.
In addition to those future plans, she will be getting married to her best friend, who is also serving in the military, and starting a family.
Specialist Jacob Schmidt, son of David and Mary Schmidt, has served two years in the Minnesota National Guard. Like Muellner, he serves with the 204th ASMC and is a medic working in the evacuation section.
Schmidt never thought much of joining the military until after a couple of semesters in college. He wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life but he wanted to become someone that his younger siblings could look up to, as well as his parents and himself being proud of.
SPC Schmidt wanted to become a medic because it would give him the most realistic “hands on” experience he needed, for deciding if it was the profession he would make a career.
Schmidt aspires to someday be an anesthesiologist.
After the deployment, he plans to spend time with his daughter, who was born right before the deployment, and continue his education.
Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Jensen serves as a Supply Systems Technician in the 34th ID Red Bull Division based out of Rosemount, Minn. He has served in the Minnesota National Guard for 22 years and is employed full time at Camp Ripley, Minn., as a material management supervisor.
Serving in the military was an assured endeavor for Jensen as he knew it was a means to further his education.
Besides the education benefits, he wanted to serve his country. Jensen has four brothers that are serving in the military, three of which are currently deployed to Iraq and Kuwait.
Jensen remembers his teaching days at Rush City vividly and holds much respect for SGT Muellner and SPC Schmidt.
“Jennifer and Jacob were great students in and out of the classroom. Their service to the United States and Minnesota is something they will honorably hold for the rest of their lives. It is deserving of a high level of respect.”
After the deployment CWO Jensen will return to his job at Camp Ripley as well as making up lost time with the family.
He and his wife, Elise, have four children: Lindsey, Gabrielle, Alexa, and Adam. They reside in Baxter, Minn.
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